Open question to the community: Vipassana as a beginner? How to find clarity on life.

[Henkaipan]

Hello dear Actualized community,

I am currently about to travel and have the opporunity to participate in a Vipassana shortly after my arrival in Malaysia. As I want to take this seriously and adhere to the rules, I was wondering whether the more experienced here could help me out:

- Has anyone had personal experience on a 10 day Vipassana? Would you say it was a good experience? What were you looking for entering the experience and what have you received?

- For a more or less beginner of meditation (despite a lot of personal-development work and spirituality reading, practicing meditation and breathing excercises on a non-regular basis), is this possibly too tough a start?

To be a bit more specific and open: I am currently at a perceived turning point in my life (Age-old Gerneration Y/Millenial question of purpose..., aim to gain focus, deciding where to go professionally long-term). I know it's a very personal question and yet I trust the community here a lot: Am I putting too much hope into a 10 day retreat and should maybe rather travel on my own, diving into life's questions and participate once I am farther on a personal level (less adictions to Western-lifestyle distractions) and possibly contemplate more in private while experiencing new surroundings?

I am greatful for any insights and well-meant input

 

 

[Gili Trawangan]

Ultimately it's up to you, but I wouldn't build up expectations about the retreat. I've done one and it was a good experience, but also physically very demanding. The three daily strong determination sits can be excruciating to someone without much sitting experience. But it does train your equanimity if you are resolved to power through it.

What I felt was the most noticeable "gain" was concentration, it shot through the roof.

In hindsight, I realize that I went in hoping for a breakthrough, and therefore was slightly disappointed. Again, my advice is no expectations.